Jim, If the MPower is totally dead apparently, the service reset may well fix the problem. This is the one done by holding down the record button and pressing reset.
The record button is a very small button on the same side of the MPower as the reset button, but further toward the front of the unit. It's a small button almost flush with the surface of the case. It can be a bit tricky to find at first, and apparently Humanware does not recommend doing this reset except when really necessary such as in the case you described. I've talked to a couple others using the MPower who have had similar experiences to the one you describe, and I've also had a couple myself. They are extremely rare, but they can happen. Have him try it and I'll bet it will clear the unit. He still should not loose any data, I never did. Don
